Salam Kisan inks MoU with Maharashtra Govt to revolutionise precision agriculture

The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore over the next seven years to manufacture drones, establish training centres, and build a network of trained Drone Service Providers (DSPs).

Salam Kisan (PRYM Group) has entered into a transformative partnership with the Government of Maharashtra. This is also in partnership with Microsoft as a technology partner to revolutionize precision agriculture in India. Announced at the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a significant milestone in democratising agriculture drone technology, making it affordable and accessible for smallholder farmers who form 70 per cent of India’s farming population.

India’s agriculture sector is projected to require one million drones by 2030 to optimise farming practices. However, the high cost of these drones has remained a barrier for small and marginal farmers. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Salam Kisan will spearhead the “Drone-as-a-Service” (DaaS) model. The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore over the next seven years to manufacture drones, establish training centers, and build a network of trained Drone Service Providers (DSPs). These efforts will not only make drone services affordable for farmers but also create over 200,000 rural jobs, empowering women, youth, and marginal communities.

The Government of Maharashtra will play a pivotal role in supporting this initiative by facilitating the establishment of infrastructure, training centers, and maintenance facilities in Marathwada. The government’s commitment, coupled with an investment of RsGovernme 300 crore over seven years, will ensure that rural communities benefit from this transformative technology. Microsoft, as the technology partner, will leverage its advanced AI, machine learning, and cloud capabilities to provide predictive analytics, real-time data insights, and seamless operational support for precision agriculture.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration, saying, “Maharashtra is leading agricultural transformation at #WEF25 in Davos. Through this collaboration with Salam Kisan (PRYM Solutions), we are creating over 300 jobs in drone manufacturing and empowering rural communities. This partnership will enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and set a global standard for climate-resilient farming and rural development.”

This collaboration is expected to have far-reaching impacts. For farmers, it will reduce input costs by 30 per cent, save significant water resources, and enhance crop productivity by up to 40 per cent through Salam Kisan’s AI-powered crop advisory and other precision farming solutions. For rural entrepreneurs, the training of 200,000 DSPs will enable them to earn sustainable incomes of up to Rs 5,00,000 annually, driving economic growth and revitalizing rural communities. On a broader scale, the initiative will save an estimated 238 billion liters of water by 2030, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and contribute to food security while reducing environmental impacts.

The MoU also represents a significant investment in Marathwada, where Salam Kisan will expand its drone manufacturing under the Make in India initiative, set up training and maintenance centers, and create a scalable model that can be replicated nationwide. By addressing critical challenges such as water conservation, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability, the initiative aligns with Salam Kisan’s mission of empowering farmers and ensuring sustainable agriculture practices.

The announcement at the World Economic Forum underscores India’s leadership in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By presenting this collaboration on a global platform, Salam Kisan, the Government of Maharashtra, and Microsoft aim to attract international partners and investments to amplify the initiative’s impact.

The company plans to invest Rs 300